CS Duale challenges Kenya Met to provide accurate forecasts

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has challenged the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) to provide accurate weather forecasts at all times.

Duale said weather information is critical to Kenya's overall wellbeing in the wake of the worsening global climate change crisis.

Duale called on the institution to ensure the predictions are timely and verifiable to enable all sectors of the Kenyan economy to make informed decisions.

"This institution is critical. Not only to Kenya but to the entire world. Aviation experts depend on your information. The Ministry of Agriculture uses your information to plan Kenya's food security," Duale  said.

He welcomed the move by KMD to modernise its equipment and technology, noting that recent near-accurate weather predictions had raised public confidence in the institution.

The Cabinet Secretary, who spoke today during a familiarisation visit of KMD's Dagoretti Corner headquarters in Nairobi County, assured the institution of his full support.

Duale said KMD was at the core of Kenya's climate action agenda.

He committed to lobby for increased financial support for the institution from both the government and the development partners.

Duale said accurate forecasts were critical in the management of the severity of the worsening weather extremes such as the cyclic climate change-induced flooding and drought episodes facing the country.

He encouraged the institution to leverage new technologies to ensure wider dissemination of its regular weather forecasts.

On the ongoing legislative process to transform the institution into a semi-autonomous state entity, Duale said he will see to it that the Metrological Bill currently before Parliament is passed.

Duale was accompanied by the Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno and several senior Ministry officials led by Secretary for Administration John Elungata.

KMD is a department of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

It is mandated to provide timely weather and climate information for safety of life, protection of property, and conservation of the natural environment.